The Night Before Christmas – Gardening Style

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the yard,
Not a vegetable was growing, not even Swiss chard.
The hoses were stored in the cellar with care
And I, rest assured, knew they wouldn’t freeze there.

The perennials were mulched, all snug in their beds,
While vision of springtime danced in their heads.
The new planted shrubs had been soaked by the hose,
To settle their roots for the long, winter’s doze.

And out on the lawn, the new fallen snow
Protected the roots of the grasses below.
When out in the drive there arose such a clatter,
I ran with my hoe to see what was the matter.
And what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a truck full of useful gardening gear.

Saint Nick, the driver, so plump and so jolly
Jumped out of his truck with a sackful of holly.
“I’ve bought trimmers and clippers and tubers and seeds
And landscape fabric to eliminate weeds,
Well aged manure, strained finely for spreading,
Just what you need for your annual flower bedding,

And for birds and bird watchers, a feeder and bath.
I’ve an insect pest guide to help you to know
Which of the bugs will cause plants to grow slow,

A new sprayer to fill with safe soap and oil,
A floating row cover, there are insects to foil!
For gardening with ease, I’ve a new rototiller,
Pads for your knees and organic bug killer.

for pH detecting, here’s a soil testing kit
For soil preparation that’s sure to be a hit,
A new mulching mower for grass blade clipping,
And a long soaker hose that saves water by dripping.”

With jolly Saint Nick’s gift-giving complete,
He started his truck and took off down the street.
And I heard him exclaim through the motor’s loud hum,